Abstract

OBJECTIVESEnvenomation from snake bites is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological features of snake bites in Morocco and to evaluate time-space trends in snake bite incidence, the mortality rate, and the case-fatality rate.METHODSThis is a retrospective study of snake bite cases reported to the Moroccan Poison Control Center between 1999 and 2013.RESULTSDuring the study period, 2,053 people were bitten by snakes in Morocco. Most victims were adults (55.4%). The average age of the patients was 26.48±17.25 years. More than half of the cases (58.1%) were males. Approximately 75% of snake bites happened in rural areas, and 85 deaths were recorded during this period. The incidence of snake bites remained generally steady over the 15-year period of this study, with a marked increase noted since 2012. The mortality rate has increased slightly, from 0.02 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 1999 to 0.05 in 2013. The geographical distribution of snake bite cases in the regions of Morocco showed that Tanger-Tétouan had the highest annual incidence of snake bites (1.41 bites per 100,000 inhabitants). However, the highest annual mortality rates were recorded in the Guelmim-Es Semara and Souss-Massa-Drâa regions (0.09 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants for both regions).CONCLUSIONSThe geographical distribution of the incidence, mortality, and case-fatality rates of snake bites in Morocco showed large disparities across regions during the three 5-year periods included in this study, meaning that certain areas can be considered high-risk for snake bites.

Highlights

  • The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of snake bites and to evaluate time-space trends in snake bite incidence, the mortality rate, and the case-fatality rate in Morocco over a 15-year period from 1999 through 2013

  • This is a retrospective study of snake bite cases that were reported to the MPCC from a national poisoning surveillance system over a 15-year period from 1999 to 2013

  • The MPCC is a national institution with the mandate to provide toxicological information and advice and to oversee the management of poisoning cases in order to reduce morbidity and mortality related to poisoning in Morocco

Read more

Summary

Introduction

The exact number of snake bites is unknown, an estimated 5.4 million people are bitten every year, resulting in 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of poisoning. As per the World Health Organisation fact sheet on snake bites, an estimated 81,000 to 138,000 people die each year as a result of snake bites, and there are approximately 3 times more cases of amputations and other definitive disabilities [3]. Well aware of the seriousness of the problem, the Moroccan Poison Control Centre (MPPC) has been engaged since 2008 in the fight against snake bites. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of snake bites and to evaluate time-space trends in snake bite incidence, the mortality rate, and the case-fatality rate in Morocco over a 15-year period from 1999 through 2013

Objectives
Methods
Results
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call